The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-03-18
EDUCATIONAL.
Address by President Meleney to the New
Jersey State Teachers Association.
How to Teach Primary Reading-The study
Of Geography.
ADVANCEMENT IN EDUCATION.

' ADVANCEMENT IN EDUCATION.
President Meleney, in his address to
the State Teachers Association, at
Trenton, New Jersey, said: Isl
The advancement in education is ex-
planned by the fact that it is now
treated as a science. The new meth
DDS are based upon true principles.
Teachers learn how to teach by study
ing the child who is to be taught, by
getting an insight into the workings Of
the child's mind, and properly estimat-
ing the powers that are to be devel-
oped. They are finding out the proper
appliances and material to stimulate
natural growth and the methods by
which they are to be applied. ..
Progress has not come about solely
by discovery and experiment, but much
by study of the work of great educa-
tors. The history of education has
conveyed to us the fundamental truths
of the science. This age is distinguish
ed as much for requirement and appli-
cation as for invention. Men are to be
commended for their wisdom in apply
ing the discoveries of others and profit
ing by their experience. Results of
this adaptability are seen in teaching
profession. They accept measures and
methods that have been proved and
recommended by Others-are anxious
to learn the history of great educators
and their work; they study the work
of great schools and inquire into the
nfp nd fatl oh
ers know that other schools and sys-
TENS are worth looking into, and they
are ready to make most thorough in
vestigation of the best methods.
This practical age demands that a
system of schools shall fit the young
for life, and hence the means used in
developing the powers of the child
should conform as much as possible to
the practical or useful element of an
education.
When education was established in
this country it was thought to be nee
essary for political reasons. The train
ing for citizenship is important, but we
must first lay the foundation. We
want to make men first, and the citizen
will follow.
Again, formerly education was d.
rected toward college course; no ed
ucation could be acquired without that
end i'm view. All the schools were
graded with reference to intellectual
attachments. The system was lofty in
its aim, but lacked broadness. Many
to-day have similar idea when they
maintain that school course is to be
made in reference to those who are to
complete it, and not in consideration
of those who are liable to drop out by
the way. This is unjust to the poor
boy who is obliged to leave school ut
an early age. He really deserves more
attention than one who is able to take
q more extended course. The essen
tial principle of public school sys-
tenn should be its adaptability to the
needs of any child. The education
should tend towards his harmonious
and complete development, so that, at
whatever age he is obliged to leave
school, thus far his education has been
complete, and he is fitted, so far as his
age and native powers allow, to take
his place in life.
The harmonious development of q
child necessitates something more than
intellectual education. The training
of the hand must be carried on syste-
matically with the training of the
mind. Manual training schools should
begin with the kindergarten. The
elimination of perfect system of
education is the development of perfect
character. -.
It is important to consider now what
there is for the State Teachers Asso-
citation to do. The teachers of the
State have a great work before them
in informing the people upon import
ant needs Of education, and overcom-
ing the obstacles in the way of pro-
gross.